Pay for your Latte with Starbux Card for Windows Phone

While we wait for official apps from companies we make due with 3rd party solutions. However, a lot of the times we get some great apps from the Windows Phone community and it's really hard to see what else an official app can add. You only need to look at 4th and Mayor and Metrotube to see examples of the active development community.

You can go ahead and add Starbux Card to that mix of examples. If you want to load up your Starbucks cards to your Windows Phone, check out Starbux Card for Windows Phone 7 and 8.

Starbux Card is fairly comparable to official app offerings over on iOS and Android. The only thing you can't do in the app is reload your card. That little caveat aside, the rest is fairly awesome and should satisfy the most java addicted user out there. You can:

Find the closest Starbucks location

Enter multiple cards with custom names

Check card balances

Check Starbuck reward information including how many free drinks are available

Pay for purchases

Track orders through the order notepad

Save favorite locations to easily access in the future

Create a secondary tile for each Starbucks card

After downloading the app you can enter in card numbers to load that card to the app, entering in the security code on the back of the card allows you to track the balance. If you want to pay with the app you just need to select the card and it will generate a bar code for the barista to scan. You may also wish to track your Starbucks rewards and you can after logging in with your account.

Another handy feature is the order notepad that allows you to jot down and track your drink history. A great way to experiment with new flavors and combinations and figure out your favorite drink. Unique to the Windows Phone 8 version of the app is the ability to be notified via the Live Tile of free drinks when they become available.

If you already had this app, they recently updated to fix an issue with the barcode being cutoff and causing issues while scanning.

What's your favorite drink at Starbucks?

The app is free and ad-supported, you can download it here in the Windows Phone Store or use the QR code below.

I love WCMF, but never had it with coconut and caramel...gonna have to try it; SB should be able ro make this any time of year since WCM is on the menu year round. I'm gonna give this app, and frappe, a whirl :)

I am also a long-time user of Starbux Card. I regard this app as must-have and I use it regularly by pinning my card to my Start screen. I use the official Starbucks app on an iPod Touch and can easily say Starbux Card is faster and more convenient. In fact, I love Starbux Card so much that I'd be willing to pay for an ad-free version.

I have used this app since it first came out for Windows 7 well over a year ago. It's fantastic, and actually works better than iOS or Android versions. Here's my take:

Easier to scan: Has 2 sizes of bar codes. Just tap the normal one and it jumps to a mega-sized one that's even easier to scan.

Fast & Convenient: You can pin a specific card directly to your home screen.

Security: This is actually more secure than carrying your card around, because if you lose your card then anyone can use it. Lose your phone and you can remote-lock it via windowsphone.com website.

Reloading: Yep, it sure can. You simple had the barrista your credit card or some cash, and tell them to load it up. They take your money, then scan your phone. The balance instantly updates right on your phone.

I agree with the other commenter that Starbucks Finder is better for finding a nearby Starbucks, but outside of that, Starbux Card has them all beat hands down.